The Federal Government has confirmed that a new national air carrier will soon be established in Nigeria.

Abubakar Kana, the newly appointed Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, made this announcement during the recent handing-over ceremony at the ministry. Kana revealed that the creation of a national air carrier is a key priority, and he is committed to seeing it through.

Kana also pledged to overhaul airports across the country, ensuring they meet international standards. “Resources are scarce; we need to embrace the private sector to support Nigeria’s aviation industry,” he added.

Kana, who previously served as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, underscored the importance of aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” for the aviation sector. He assured full support for the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, in realizing both the national carrier and airport upgrades.

In his farewell speech, the outgoing Permanent Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, expressed his gratitude to the ministry and Nigerians for the opportunity to contribute to the sector’s growth. He highlighted that while his time in service had ended, the progress of the aviation ministry would continue. Meribole called on ministry staff to extend the same cooperation and teamwork to Kana.

“No man is perfect, but I have always wished to leave a place better than how I met it, and I believe I have done that,” he said.

Dr. Udechukwu Osakwe, Director of Finance and Accounts, and Mustapha Abdullahi, Registrar of the African Aviation Aerospace University, both praised Meribole’s dedication to service and meritocracy. Barr. Odugbesan, Director of Legal Services and Senior Adviser to the Minister of Justice, also commended Kana’s leadership skills and passion for talent development.

The event concluded with the signing and handover of the ministry’s strategic and financial documents to Kana.

This announcement follows recent controversies surrounding the Nigeria Air project, signaling the government’s renewed focus on reviving the national air carrier.

Despite the Federal Government’s multi-billion-naira border surveillance systems launched in 2019, illegal migrants, some of whom have been identified as bandits, terrorists and kidnappers, continue to cross into Nigeria from the Republics of Benin, Chad, Niger, Mali and Cameroon.

This is as the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said e-border surveillance is now being mounted across the nation’s borders with its neighbouring countries.

“As we speak, more than half of our borders have been automated. There are visuals, and a lot of processes going on now. So, effectively, there is e-border surveillance now in our borders.

“By October (2024), we will be done with the first phase of the e-border surveillance project, including our marine borders. Now, we have the command and control for air and land. You cannot secure your borders effectively without technology,” Tunji-Ojo said in a live national television programme in May 2024.

At the launch of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex in early December 2024, the minister said about 250 trained Immigration Service personnel run 24-hour shifts at the e-border control centre.

However, some foreigners still crossed to Nigeria from the Republic of Benin through the Baruten/Kaiama border posts despite the closure of the border by the FG.

Checks by The PUNCH from residents of border communities in the Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara state revealed that illegal immigrants still crossed the border into the country daily.

The immediate past chairman of Baruten Local Government Council, Abdulrasheed Abdullahi, who spoke with one of our correspondents, said that citizens of the Benin Republic are still migrating into the country through several illegal routes.

Abdullahi said, “Although the border posts have been closed since 2020 during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari to beef up security, the border closure has not stopped citizens of Benin Republic who are our neighbours from coming into the country.”

“The e-border control system installed to stop the illegal immigrants from coming to the country had not stopped their citizens from entering Nigeria,” Abdullahi, who ended his tenure as the council chairman in September 2024, added.

The Federal Executive Council approved N52bn for the e-border surveillance system in 2019 to monitor and provide real-time information from major border posts nationwide.

However, the project faced delays due to funding challenges and did not commence until 2022. Nigeria’s extensive borders, covering approximately 5,330 kilometres, have numerous illegal entry points and present ongoing security challenges.

The Nigeria Immigration Service says it has since deployed advanced e-border solutions to over 80 crossing points nationwide, marking the project’s first phase. It says the e-border system offers real-time, 24/7 monitoring and intelligence, enabling better tracking and management of border activities.

Speaking in a telephone with The PUNCH on Monday, the Emir of Yashikira, a border community in Baruten LGA, Umoru Usman, said foreigners cross into the locality daily.

Usman explained, “Despite the border closure and the e-border control system installed by the Federal Government to stop illegal immigration into the country, which are all moves by the government to ensure security, the people from the Benin Republic who are our neighbours still crossed the border. Though we cannot give the figure, people are still crossing the borders on a daily basis.”

When reached for the comments, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kenneth Udo, did not respond to calls to his mobile line. Also, text messages sent to his mobile and WhatsApp number were not answered as of this report.

Meanwhile, the Eselu of Iselu, Ogun State, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, on Monday, said that the purported N9bn e-border control system project initiated under the Buhari government has failed to check the influx of illegal migrants into the country.

The royal father said there has been a steady increase in the number of illegal migrants moving into the country from the Benin Republic due to the absence of tangible barricades or landmarks demarcating the borders of both countries.

He attributed the influx of illegal migrants for the surge in crime.

Oba Akinyemi said, “The N9bn e-border control system project is a white elephant project just like the botched Nigeria Airways” under the same government of President Buhari.

He expressed doubts about the existence of any e-border control system along the land border with neighbouring Benin Republic.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje on Wednesday threw his weight behind the embattled National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Felix Morka.

Ganduje also described claims attributed to the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, as misleading, an act he said incited his online supporters to troll Morka.

He disclosed this in a statement personally signed by him in Abuja.

His clarification comes a few hours after the APC spokesman claimed that he and his family received 200 death threats over his inflammatory remarks from pro-Obi supporters.

Morka alleged that the threats were triggered by Obi’s accusation that his remarks during a Sunday interview on Arise Television constituted a threat to the Labour Party candidate’s life.

Morka’s earlier interview on Sunday sparked an outrage after he accused Obi of “crossing the line” in his criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, asserting that Obi “deserved whatever came his way.”

His inflammatory remarks prompted Obi to tweet, asking Nigerians if he had truly crossed the line by attempting to the Tinubu’s administration accountable to the people
Morka, on Wednesday, claimed that Obi’s supporters were after him, allegedly sending 400 threats, including 200 death threats.

Morka said, “Peter Obi’s allegations that my words in that interview threatened his life have triggered serious consequences.

[b]“In these messages, individuals have detailed how they plan to harm me—threatening to shoot me, behead me, and carry out other gruesome acts. This is not mere rhetoric. It has even extended to direct threats against some members of my family. These are explicit and graphic threats, not vague insinuations.

“This entire situation is baseless and cannot be attributed to me. I did not threaten Peter Obi in any way. Those issuing these threats are acting on their own, but I trust that law enforcement will respond swiftly to bring them to justice.”

Ganduje, throwing his weight behind Morka on Wednesday, accused Obi of inciting an online mob against the ruling party.

Ganduje said, “By falsely claiming that Morka threatened his life, Mr Obi has libelled him in the extreme and incited his online supporters to issue death threats against Morka and his family.

“Morka’s comments during the interview were strictly in response to a question referencing ‘prophets of doom’ and ‘voodoo economics.’ Nothing in his statement constituted or suggested a threat to Obi or anyone else.

“Does Mr Obi expect the APC to fold its arms and allow the opposition to propagate falsehoods without any response?” Ganduje queried.

Ganduje maintained that the APC would continue to counter baseless allegations with facts against the Tinubu-led administration.

“Tinubu should learn some lessons from NPP’s fall in Ghana. It is widely believed that corruption, harsh economic policies and arrogance towards the plight of the people are the key reasons that led to the ruling party’s loss.

But this is more than a reflection of what is happening in Nigeria today. Even without the economic hardship Nigerians are facing, Tinubu is walking into 2027 on an electoral tightrope.

The election that brought Tinubu in 2023 bore some similarities with 1979 presidential election in which Shagari won with a minority vote (33.77 percent). Tinubu too won election with a minority vote, polling only 36.61% of the total votes cast, leaving the two leading opponents to share significant chunks.

“You cannot subject people to hunger and hardship if you bank on their support on election day. It’s clear Tinubu is relying on repressive state apparatus and a rogue electoral umpire more than the electorate“.

The problem with using this formula is that it does not stand a gale of change. When it blows, INEC and security agents will turn against the ruling party as they’re not exempt from subsidy removal, inflation, tax increase, electricity stratification, etc.

China Development Bank, CDB, has approved the first tranche of a $255 million loan for the Nigerian government’s Kaduna-Kano railway project.

This was disclosed in a statement by CDB on Tuesday.

The loan, according to the China Development Bank, will provide crucial financial backing to ensure the smooth construction of the transportation initiative.

The railway is on the list of practical cooperation deliverables released during the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in 2023.

CBD said the railway project has been making steady progress, so far, adding that going forward, it will closely coordinate with Nigerian partners to ensure the smooth disbursement of subsequent loans and effective post-loan management.

DAILY POST reports that the Kaduna-Kano railway, which spans through 203 kilometres in total, once completed, would provide a direct rail connection between Kano and Kaduna.

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has appealed to stakeholders in the Niger Delta region to unite, shun politics and support the efforts of the Commission to develop Niger Delta communities.

Speaking at a Stakeholders Interactive Forum on the Borikiri-Okrika Bridge Project in Rivers State, the NDDC Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye, urged Niger Deltans to work in harmony to drive the process of development for the well-being of the people of the region.

In a statement by NDDC, Director, Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson -Wakama, Iyaye noted that the project represented a significant initiative that would drive progress in Rivers State, noting that Borokiri and Okrika serve as key hubs in the oil and gas industry and play crucial roles in the economic advancement of the Niger Delta region and Nigeria as a whole.

Iyaye stated that people’s needs should take precedence over political considerations and that development thrives in a peaceful environment.

He said: “Although this project was awarded in 2012, it has faced delays for various reasons. Upon the inauguration of the current NDDC Board, we prioritised completing this significant project, viewing it as a legacy initiative alongside the Kaa-Ataba Bridge linking Khana and Andoni local government areas in Rivers State.

Iyaye told the stakeholders that the Kaa-Ataba Bridge project was progressing satisfactorily, noting that the contractors had assured that cars would be able to pass through before the end of the year.

The Executive Director observed that some NDDC key projects were delayed because the Commission did not have an approved budget for the past four years. “However, the President recognised the need for funding and approved the 2024 NDDC budget, which now includes financial provisions for this legacy project,” he said.

“Before proceeding with the project, we felt it was necessary to hold this interactive session, which is essential for fostering cooperation and creating a supportive environment for the contractors to ensure timely completion.”

In a goodwill message, the Amayanabo of Kirike Kingdom, Okrika, King Tamuno-Omisiki Opuiyo, thanked the NDDC for organising the stakeholders’ engagement and assured that the communities in his domain would cooperate with the Commission to ensure the project’s timely completion.

He noted: “We should not allow our political differences to hinder development. We assure NDDC of our support and appeal to the Commission to engage a reliable and capable contractor.”
Speaking similarly, the Amanyanabo of Bolo Kingdom, King Micah Acheseinimie Frank, advised Niger Deltans to desist from mixing politics with development, stating: “We will ensure that this project is executed to the letter.”

Speaking on behalf of other stakeholders, Dr Sampson Parker, a former Commissioner for Health in Rivers State, thanked President Tinubu and the NDDC for reviving the Okrika-Borikiri Bridge project.

He remarked: “The bridge project represents a vision that will act as a catalyst for the socio-economic revitalisation of the communities. Let us all support President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope initiative, which the NDDC, under Dr Samuel Ogbuku’s leadership, is actively working to implement.”

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has named Éric Sékou Chelle, former coach of Mali’s national team, as the new head coach of the Super Eagles, News360 Nigeria reports.

Chelle becomes the third manager to helm the team since José Peseiro’s resignation in March 2024.

The NFF officially confirmed Chelle’s appointment on Tuesday, following President Ibrahim Gusau’s earlier hint of an imminent announcement.

“The Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation has endorsed the recommendation of its Technical and Development Sub-Committee for the appointment of Mr. Éric Sékou Chelle as Head Coach of Nigeria’s senior men’s national football team, Super Eagles,” the NFF’s statement read.

Chelle’s first assignment will be managing the home-based Super Eagles at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in East Africa from February 1–28, where Nigeria will compete against 17 other nations.

The NFF emphasized that the CHAN tournament will serve as a platform to identify domestic talents for integration into the senior national team.

NFF President Gusau stated:
“We want whoever takes charge of the team to begin immediately, which is why the same coach will manage the CHAN Eagles.

This allows us to identify promising home-based players who can contribute to the senior national team.”

Chelle’s coaching history includes stints with GS Consolat, FC Martigues, Boulogne, MC Oran, and the Mali national team, which he led to the quarterfinals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

His strategic approach will now be pivotal in revitalizing the Super Eagles and leading them to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

As part of his transition, Chelle will work with the current Super Eagles B coaching staff, which includes Daniel Ogunmodede, Fidelis Ilechukwu, and Olatunji Baruwa, who successfully guided the team through CHAN qualifiers.

Chelle’s tenure begins with a critical task of securing Nigeria’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup, with the team currently sitting fifth in their group ahead of the next qualifiers in March.

The Nigeria Customs Service has said that it received 573,519 applications in the just-concluded 2024/2025 recruitment exercise, barely a week after the portal was opened.

DAILY POST reports that about a week ago, the Minister of Finance, Mr. Olawale Edun, announced that the recruitment of 3,927 officers has been approved for the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS.

In an update on Tuesday, spokesperson to Nigeria Customs Service, Abdullahi Maiwada, noted that 573,519 applicants applied for 3,927 vacant positions.

“I want to break down the number of people that applied. We have two categories of officers: we have the support staff that are professionals, and we have the general duty.

“For the general duty, we have three categories of ranks. For the general duty under the superintendent cadre, we have 249,218,000 candidates that applied.

“Under the superintendent cadre support staff cadre, we have 27,722,000 with HNDs and university degrees.

“For the inspector cadres, those expected to apply with their National Certificate for Education (NCE) or National Diploma, we have 115,634 applying for the general duty, and for support staff, we have 12,952.

“As for the customs assistants, these are those who are supposed to come in with secondary school certificates. There are two categories: those who have basic five-credit results with Maths and English and those without Maths and English. For the general duty, we have 153,593,000, while the support staff we have 14,400,” he stated.

Egypt leads Africa as Nigeria’s military drops to 39th in global armed forces rankings

The Armed Forces of Nigeria have dropped three places in the 2024 Global Firepower (GFP) ranking, moving from 36th position in 2023 to 39th among 145 nations assessed worldwide.

This marks a second consecutive year of decline for Nigeria, which was ranked 35th in 2022.

Punch reports that the drop comes despite the acquisition of fighter jets and other military assets, alongside reported successes in the fight against terrorism within the country.

Nigeria also slid from third to fourth place among African countries, with Egypt maintaining its top spot on the continent, followed by Algeria and South Africa.

Globally, the United States retained its first-place ranking for the 18th consecutive year, showcasing superior strength across material, financial, and resource categories. Russia, China, India, and South Korea rounded out the top five.

Other notable African nations in the rankings include Ethiopia, Angola, Morocco, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The GFP report assessed countries based on over 60 factors, including military resources, financial stability, logistical capabilities, and geography. Nigeria’s Power Index (PwrIndx) score for 2024 stood at 0.5619, with a score of 0.0000 being considered “perfect.”